When Asked for Comment, Most Insurrection Defendants Remain Silent


     I've had the privilege of turning Insurrection Detection from a passion project into a legitimate force of journalism in covering the January 6th insurrection cases, and I hope that, in doing so, I am able to play a small part in preserving our democracy for future generations. I was inspired to start this project when a high school classmate was arrested for assaulting law enforcement, driven by the anger I felt at watching the violence unfold on live TV, and, since then, I've posted the most easily-accessible and easily-digestible weekly updates of all court developments Capitol riot, provided commentary on the high-level conspiracy cases, and interviewed or started interviews with dozens of insurrectionists and/or their relatives. 

     This latter task, however, presents its own major challenges, with one in particular sticking out: the majority of insurrectionists decline comment. I've reached out to Amanda Rock, the partner of Albuquerque Head; Head was sentenced to 90 months in prison for assaulting Officer Michael Fanone. She did not reply to my inquiries. Nor did Dova Winegeart, the Oklahoma bakery owner charged with a felony for smashing a window at the Capitol, or her husband. Russell Alford, the Alabama man convicted of misdemeanors at trial after claiming the insurrection seemed staged, and Grady Owens, the former Florida student who pleaded guilty to hitting an officer on the head with a skateboard, similarly ignored me outright.

     Others replied to say that they would not be replying. Lilith Saer, the anti-Semitic far-right extremist group member known for her role in the violence in Portland, replied that she would, "refrain from commenting about this matter until the case is resolved. At this time I have nothing to say other than that I love this country and wish for everyone, regardless of their political affiliation or opinions about my person, to live long in [sic] prosper." That's pretty high and mighty talk from somebody who has since pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor for her role in a violent insurrection against the United States after years of participating in violent acts against people because of their "political affiliation or opinions about [her] person."

     Perhaps the most amusing that I'm at liberty to discuss at this time is the case of Lloyd Cruz, a Missouri man convicted of two misdemeanors by a federal judge earlier this month after he became the first from his state to take his case to trial. He posted a smiling selfie with people who appear to be his attorneys in front of the federal courthouse in D.C. before I contacted him; he simply asked me which paper I was with and then refused to engage in any further dialogue.

     That's not to say there aren't some exciting interviews coming. I'm actively engaged in an interview with a Michigan man facing felony and misdemeanor charges for his actions that day, the employer of a Virginia woman just similarly charged, one defendant convicted of sedition and the lead defender of another convicted of sedition, and several others. These interviews will be posted in short order.

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